The Future of South African-Turkish Economic Relations
Towards Creating a Framework for Enhanced Bilateral Cooperations

An online panel titled “The Future of South Africa-Turkey Economic Relations” was organized in cooperation with the Africa Foundation, MUSIAD-South Africa and Wits Business School. In the panel moderated by Professor Mills Soko from Wits Business School, Wits Business School Director Professor Maurice Radebe and Africa Foundation Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. It was opened with Mehmet Köse’s speeches, which expressed the common development goals of the two countries and the important problems they face, and emphasized the importance of the discussions of the parties that came together in the panel for mutual cooperation.

At the opening session, Turkey’s Ambassador to South Africa, Ayşegül Kandaş, also made a speech and stated that Turkey has demonstrated both in Africa and in its relations with South Africa; Drawing attention to efforts such as the Africa-Turkey Economy and Business Forum, TRT Africa broadcast cooperation, Yunus Emre Institute and the activities of the Maarif Foundation, he emphasized that the relations focus not only on the economic dimension but also on the cultural aspect. He also called for an initiative among policy makers for a free trade agreement, as well as the trade network developed by the business community between the two countries.

The President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alan Mukoki, who took the first floor at the panel, noted the important roles that Turkey can play in the development of South Africa in line with the sustainable development goals. Abubekir Salim, President of MUSIAD Africa and DEIK Turkey-South Africa Business Council, also mentioned that both countries need to create employment opportunities and that although they have different organizational cultures, if operational processes are accelerated, they have serious potential for business.

Willem van der Spuy, General Manager of Export Development, Promotion and Foreign Investments Unit from South Africa’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition, gave the details of imports and exports between Turkey and South Africa and drew a framework for different areas where trade can be diversified. As the final speaker, African Union Chief Regional Integration Officer Zodwa Mabuza emphasized the value of Turkey’s policies that appreciate the importance of regional integration across Africa and recommended that investments should be directed towards social and digital infrastructure as well as technical and physical infrastructure.

These illuminating discussions, Professor Soko and Dr. Köse, in cooperation with the Wits Business School and the Africa Foundation, elaborated the issues that distinguished speakers took into consideration, and concluded with suggestions for other studies that could be examined in greater depth in the future.